‘Though, February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.’ —Charmaine J Forde
‘In the coldest February, as in every other month in every other year, the best thing to hold on to in this world is each other.’ — Linda Ellerbee
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
For January I am veering off the prescribed list as I already did the subjects for Blogmas!
So for today…..
Topic: Characters I’d follow on social media!
M-Bot – see what he is experiencing today!
Lemon Fresh – just her!
Manon Blackbeak – see who’s she offing today!
Ruhn Dannan – hopefully some half naked pics!
Marsyas Island Orphanage – maybe a group account?!
Geraldine – I could just listen to her all day!
Andrew Minyard- an insight to his brain please!
Nicky – would be a hoot!
Jacks – his TikToks would be amazing!
Raffe – an angel. Does it get better than that?!
Who would you have picked?
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.
Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a good week?
Thank gawd January is nearly over, it’s felt like it’s crawled by! It’s been a normal-ish week but work has been so hectic, I don’t know if I’m coming or going! Luckily we had a relaxing Saturday with a takeaway so I didn’t have to cook so that was nice!
Teachers are on strike here this week so my son will be home – only a day in February but 3 days in March. I have to work but luckily my son is old enough to amuse himself for more than a few hours!
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
See my review here
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
See my review here
🎧 Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by AF Steadman
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
None! I’m so proud of me 🤣🤣🤣
Review – Luke Stevens and the Blood of St George by Ben Peyton
Review – I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Review – A Kingdom of Stars and Shadow by Holly Renee
Review – Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
Review – Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge
What have you read lately?
Title: Waking the Witch
Author: Rachel Burge
‘I tried to keep you safe, but I see now that I can’t. They won’t stop until they have you . . .’
When Ivy’s search for her mother draws her to a remote Welsh isle, she uncovers a dark secret about her past.
An ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy, and her only chance of survival is to look deep within herself.
For not every story in legend is true, and some evils are not what they seem.
A darkly spellbinding tale of female empowerment, steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend.
Oh wow, loved this and listened to it in 1 day with no gaps!!!!
Ivy, an abandoned child, finds her Mother and wants a relationship but what she gets instead is a warning that bad people are looking for her.
Armed with her friend, Tom, she goes to her Mum who lives on a remote Welsh island that is full of Arthurian legend stories to get some answers!
What she finds is a lot more!
I really enjoyed this! It was creepy but beautiful, full of legend, sisterhood, and a leading lady who finds herself in an epic way!
PS, I love Tom!
Title: Spice Road
Series: Spice Road Trilogy #1
Author: Maiya Ibrahim
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens affinities in those who drink the misra tea. With an affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani wields a dagger like no other warrior, garnering her the reputation as the next greatest Shield for battling the dangerous djinn, ghouls, and other monsters that lurk in the sands beyond city limits.
Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother who tarnished the family name after he was discovered stealing their nation’s coveted spice – a tell-tale sign of magical obsession. He disappeared soon after, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes, and leaving Imani reeling with both betrayal and grief.
But when Imani uncovers evidence her brother may be alive and spreading their nation’s magic beyond the desert, she strikes a deal with the Council to find him and bring him back to Qalia before he can reveal the city’s location. Accompanied by Qayn, a roguish but handsome djinni, and Taha, a powerful beastseer whose magical talents are matched only by his arrogance, they set out on their mission.
Imani will soon discover there are many secrets that lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes – and in her own heart – but will she find her brother before his betrayals endanger the fate of all of Qalia?
Imani leaves her hidden city with a small group of magic wielders to find and bring home her brother, Atheer, who has gone awol.
~ Imani, warrior
~ Qayn, a cheeky chappy (actually a djinni)!
~ Taha, a beastseer and his hawk,
~ Amani, sister to Imani and so cute!
(Sorry if some names are spelt wrong, I listened to the audio!)
The story was so good, I fell in love with the characters and the world building was spot on.
There was adventure, action and of course.. a triangle?! I mean was this a love triangle? I had a clear fave for most of the book and then I switched in the last quarter!
I need to know what happens, I need the next book so I’ll be scouring the authors social media for news!
Title: A Kingdom of Stars and Shadow
Series: Stars and Shadow #1
Author: Holly Renee
Destiny or desire?
Where does your allegiance lie?
I am told my union to the crowned prince will determine the fate of the kingdom, but it isn’t my betrothed who haunts my dreams. It’s the half-breed prince who stands at his side.
He is darkness and sin, and when he whispers promises of wickedness in my ear, I crave a man who I can’t have.
Every thought I have is treasonous. The way my hands ache to touch him deceitful.
Even my dreams make me a traitor to the kingdom I am sworn to protect.
But when the kingdom is attacked, I am forced to make choices I’m not prepared for. Our lies and deception are entangled in the shadows and stars, and as they unravel so shall my fate. Betray a kingdom or betray my heart.
‘You will determine the future of our world.’
This had everything I wanted in a romantasy including the morally grey lead!
Adara is Starblessed and it’s her destiny to marry the High Fae Prince (Gavril) and help make their nation stable……but there is trouble with the vampyre nation and Adara gets a lot more than she bargained for with Evren, Captain of the Guard!
I’ll spare you the fact that I want to go on for hours about how much I love Evren! He is gorg, delish, dirty and I love him! ‘Trust me, princess. It took everything inside of me not to fall to my knees before you.’
Adara did get on my nerves a tiny bit but I can see where she is coming from. She jumps to conclusions before she knows all the facts, I guess that’s a human trait though!
If your a romantasy fan who liked FBAA, What Lies Beyond the Veil etc, then you’ll need to read this! I can’t wait to dive head first into the next book now (please tell me it’s released!)
Title: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Author: Jennette McCurdy
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
My son loved iCarly and Sam and Cat and I’d heard so much about this book so I had to read, well listen as I got the audiobook.
The audiobook was narrated by the author and was so well read and made me choke up at some points.
This was a heartbreaking, warts and all journey and I’m amazed that Jennette actually survived in tact. I want to give her a massive hug.
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Topic: New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2022
This actually wasn’t a bad subject for me as I was tracking new-to-me authors in 2022 and I read nearly 40 new authors which I thought was pretty good!
FREYA MARSKE
ALI HAZELWOOD
OLIVIA ATWATER
JT WILLIAMS
SANGU MANDANNA
CAROLINE PECKHAM
EMILY HENRY
NORA SAKAVIC
SOPHIE KIM
REBECCA ROANHORSE
What new-to-you authors did you read in 22?
Title: Luke Stevens and the Blood of St George
Author: Ben Peyton
On his 13th birthday and presented with an unusual gift, Luke Stevens suddenly finds himself thrust into a battle between good and evil, with him right at the heart of it. For within Luke flows the blood of a legend and there are those that will stop at nothing to get their hands on what Luke now has in his possession.
With a group of Guardians to help him, Luke has no choice but to step up and fulfil an ancient prophecy where mankind’s way of life is threatened by a ruthless enemy seeking global domination. What follows is a race against time where one thing is certain: Luke’s life will never be the same again.
Full to the brim with action, humour, crazy gadgets and history, prepare yourself for an exciting adventure that will keep you turning pages long into the night.
Welcome to Luke Stevens and the Blood of St George…
‘Be the light for those in the dark.’
Even though I’m a bit (well more than a bit!) out of the target audience, I love an MG read. And I really enjoyed this!!! I guess some of the stuff in here might be too much for a 10 year old but then saying that I’m sure they play and watch more horrific stuff so maybe it’s just me!!!!!
Luke lives with his Aunt Sarah after his parents died and on his 13th birthday his life is turned upside down!
With his new found powers he defeats the school bully and has someone to contend with who has a well known great grandfather!
~ There was non-stop action all the way!
~ The humour and the banter was so amusing!
~ The tech of the guardians was so good, I want a pelletricity gun!
~ Patrick was my utter fave! I have a picture in my head of him – like a shorter, beardless Dumbledore!!!!
This was a fast paced, short, fab read and that epilogue had my jaw hanging open!!!!
CJRTB Books 